LAPIN

The Jeffrey Modell Center for Immunodeficiencies in New Orleans (www.JMCnola.org) has sponsored a broader Louisiana Network for Primary Immunodeficiencies, LAPIN, with the purpose of promoting the knowledge, recognition and treatment of primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDD) in Louisiana. To make sure that PIDDs are recognized and treated promptl... y, LAPIN will use various forms of direct and electronic diffusion of knowledge, a network of teleconferencing, the use of social media, hospital billboards, hospital newsletters and other forms of interaction with members of LAPIN and other health care professionals. LAPIN members will offer consultation to physicians and patients, health insurance companies and also health authorities. CME courses that until 2012 were conducted at the JMC in New Orleans, will be held at multiple locations in Louisiana with active participation of local LAPIN members. These different activities will be detailed further as we establish LAPIN and receive input from future members. A well-defined goal of LAPIN is the establishment of a patient surveillance network to monitor the number of patients diagnosed every year. This surveillance system will be a reflection of the impact of education about PIDD. This surveillance effort is essential to know the current status of these diseases in this region and to offer important information about the importance of PIDD to health authorities, insurance companies, physicians and health professional organizations. Active participation in this patient survey will be a prerequisite for clinical immunologists to become official physician members of LAPIN in order to have access to educational material, consultation services and general information about PIDD which will be distributed through a member-restricted section of the JMC-LAPIN website. Funding of LAPIN activities will be supported by tax deductible donations to a restricted account within the Childrens Hospital 501c3 account. This account will be overseen by the head of the New Orleans ...Read More